Red Deer Midget AAA Sutter Fund Chiefs

How do I know what Draw Zone/Recruitment Area I am in?

While Midget AAA operates without boundaries or draw zones, players interested in playing Midget Elite or Bantam Elite are expected to access their first tryout with their Recruitment Area Team. The Recruitment Area team that a player is eligible for depends on your Resident Minor Hockey Association (not the one the player was last registered with). The breakdown of Recruitment Area Teams can be found below:

Can a player access a Midget or Bantam Elite try out elsewhere?

Midget Elite and Bantam Elite players are expected to access their first try out within the area that has been identified by the ADM for their Resident LMHA. However, if extenuating circumstances warrant a move, a player may use the Elite Player Movement Application process to move to access a program outside of their identified area. Elite Player Movement Forms must be completed and submitted by July 1st.

Who can sign a Player Agreement Form?

A Player Agreement Form is for players selected to play for a Midget AAA, Midget Elite or Bantam Elite Team within the ADM. All “AAA” and Elite players must sign a Player AgreementForm prior to the start of the regular season. Underage players are not eligible to sign a Player Agreement Form without gaining approval through the Player Acceleration Process.

By signing this document, the player is agreeing to register and play for that specific Member Club for the upcoming season. This document is viewed as binding and it is the expectation of both parties, the player and the Member Club, to uphold their portion of the agreement.

Can I sign a Player Agreement Form prior to the start of the season?

Each “AAA” Member Club can formally sign up to six players (five skaters and one goaltender) to early Player Agreements between June 15 to August 15th. This is done through the completion of the Player Agreement Form, signed by both parties. “Commitments” made without a written agreement are considered “verbal” and can be viewed as non-binding by either party. Players who have not signed a Player Agreement prior to the beginning of the season are encouraged to attend multiple tryout camps in order to keep all of their options open.

If I played AAA last year but would like to play for a different AAA team this upcoming season, is there something I need to do before I change teams?

If a player signed a Player Agreement and was registered with a AAA team for the 2017/2018 season and would like to play for another AAA team for the 2018/2019 season, the family will need to request an Elite Waiver from the Previous Registered Team. The signed waiver, complete with rationale must be submitted to the Female ADM Committee prior to the start of tryouts.

What is an elite waiver?

An Elite Waiver is used for two different purposes in the Female ADM;

Players who played “AAA” last season and would like to tryout/sign with another AAA club are required to have a completed Elite Wavier prior to the start of Tryouts.

A player who is cut from a Midget AAA, Midget Elite or Bantam Elite team and wishes to pursue the opportunity to try out with a second team. The player would need a completed Elite Waiver from the association that released them from the tryout process. A family would appeal to the Female ADM Committee by providing the Committee with a competed “Notification of Tryout Form” and Elite Waiver Form. The Female ADM Committee will review the application and provide the family with their second tryout option.

Do I have a choice of a second tryout?

At the “AAA” level, yes. The family and the player have the option of where they would like to go. This information needs to be submitted, alongside the Elite Waiver to the Female ADM Committee prior to moving onto your second tryout.

At the Elite Level, no. The Female ADM Committee works with all of the Member Teams during tryouts to understand if there is a need at a certain position (not enough defense at tryouts, no goaltender) amongst the teams. While travel is a consideration in the decision, the Female ADM will offer a second tryout option that would give the player the best opportunity to make a team.

When do tryouts begin?

The actual start date for tryouts may differ across associations, please ensure you are connecting with that association/team to find the proper dates.

Tryouts for AAA begin on/after August 24

Tryouts for Midget and Bantam Elite begin on/after September 7

Do I need any paperwork to attend a tryout?

All players trying out for a “AAA” or Elite team that is outside their Resident Minor Hockey Association needs to have a completed Notification of Tryout Form signed by their Resident MHA.

Is there a deadline to hand in my Notification of Tryout Form?

Notification of Tryout Forms need to be handed into the association players are accessing their first tryout with prior to the start of tryouts. “AAA” Players who have a preference for their second tryout can state their second tryout directly onto the NTO form.

Do I have to find a billet if I move away from home?

Each Female ADM Member Association has a billet program in place. They can assist you in finding a billet home while you play hockey. Fees may differ across associations and should be discussed with the Member MHA.

How much does this cost a year?

Each program is different (amount of ice, travel, team apparel etc). The association you would be able to give your family a more accurate breakdown of the financial obligations.

BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – The St. Albert Slash became the first team in Esso Cup history to repeat as back-to-back champions, defeating the Saskatoon Stars 2-1 to win gold at Canada’s National Female Midget Championship.

“It was pretty amazing, nothing can beat it,” St. Albert Slash captain Tyra Meropoulis, of Edson, said of her feelings after the game. “Winning two in a row is unbelievable. It is such an amazing feeling.”

After suffering a 4-1 loss to the Stars in the preliminary round, the Slash rebounded in the championship game by opening the scoring with just under three minutes remaining in the first period. Late-period goals were the key to the team’s success, as St. Albert took a 2-0 lead with less than one minute remaining in the second period. The Stars cut the deficit in half 47 seconds into the third period, but could not find the back of net as time expired.

“[St. Albert] did a great job. An absolutely great job,” said Greg Slobodzian, head coach of the Saskatoon Stars. “We haven’t been pressured like that in a long time. Our girls didn’t know how to handle it at the beginning, but I thought we answered really well in the third period. It could have went either way."

Meropoulis led the Slash with one goal and one assist in the final, while veteran Madison Willan of Edmonton recorded the game-winning goal in the second period. Jayme Doyle of Calahoo also registered one assist in the game.

Goaltender Camryn Drever of Edmonton made 14 saves on her way to securing the win, while Mackenzie Butz of Sherwood Park earned player of the game honours for St. Albert.

Administrator of the Year

AFHL Scholarship Winners

The Alberta Female Hockey League annually presents four scholarships; two to graduating players from the AFHL as well as two to young women currently attending post secondary and who are giving back to the game through coaching or officiating. All of these scholarships will be awarded to help off-set the costs of pursuing a post secondary degree at the institution of their choice.

The AFHL received an overwhelming response to the scholarship fund and recipients were chosen from an extremely deep pool of applicants. Finalists were chosen based on their strong academics, positive contribution to their team as well as their involvement with their community.

RED DEER - The ’Road to the Esso Cup’ is complete for the St. Albert Ron Hodgson Slash, who will defend their 2017 Esso Cup title after defeating the Greater Vancouver Comets in the Pacific Regional Championship.

The St. Albert Ron Hodgson Slash and Lethbridge Midget AAA Hurricanes both won the Pacific Regional Championship to advance to the Esso Cup and Telus Cup, respectively.

The Slash defeated the Greater Vancouver Comets for the second straight year, winning the three-game series two games to one.

St. Albert took game one 4-2 and lost game two 4-2, before edging the Comets 1-0 to claim the Pacific Regional banner for the second straight year.

RED DEER - The Road to the Esso Cup continues for the reigning champion St. Albert Ron Hodgson Slash this weekend, as they head to Richmond for a re-match of last year’s Pacific Regional Championships with the Greater Vancouver Comets.

The Slash defeated the Comets in last year’s Pacific Regional Championships en route to an Esso Cup championship.

Games one and two are scheduled for Friday at 5:45 p.m. and Saturday at 12 noon, with game three set for Sunday at 1 p.m., if necessary. The 2018 Esso Cup runs April 22-28 in Bridgwater, Nova Scotia.

RED DEER - The Alberta Female Hockey League season officially comes to a close this weekend, as the last weekend of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB Financial, get underway on Thursday.

Hockey Alberta and ATB Financial are also proud to unveil a brand new Snapchat filter, available at all Provincial rinks across the province. Players and fans are encouraged to use the Provincials filter, and send a photo to Hockey Alberta on Snapchat for a chance to win a gift card prize pack from Hockey Alberta and ATB Financial.

RED DEER - The Midget AAA and Bantam Elite Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB Financial, saw a pair of repeat champions this weekend, as the St. Albert Slash and Calgary Fire White skated away with their respective league banners.

The St. Albert Slash won its second-straight Provincial title in dramatic fashion, defeating the Rocky Mountain Raiders 3-2 in overtime. Trailing 2-1 with time winding down, Madison Willan scored for the Slash with 7 seconds remaining to force overtime. After killing a full two minute five-on-three Raiders powerplay, the Slash got a powerplay of their own, and Mckenzie Hewett scored to seal the win for her team.

Photo credit: Rob Wallator

The Slash will now headed for a Pacific Regional rematch with the Greater Vancouver Comets, who they defeated last year en route to an Esso Cup championship.

The Midget AAA bronze medal game also required extra time, as the host Red Deer Sutter Fund Cheifs only needed 57 seconds of overtime to defeated the Lloydminster PWM Steelers 4-3.

It was a close game in the Bantam Elite Championship Final as well, with the Calgary Fire White edging the North Central Impact 2-0 to claim its second-straight Provincial title. Calgary got goals from Ashlynn Stitt and Payten Evans in the first and second periods, and goaltender Alexandra Kieren shut the door to clinch the title.

Photo credit: Ron Potts Photography

Close games were the story of the weekend, as the host Peace Country Bonnett’s Storm held on for a 1-0 win over the St. Albert Raiders to win the Bantam Elite bronze medal.

The Alberta Female Hockey League season officially comes to a close this weekend as the Midget Elite Provincials take place in Calgary on March 29 - April 1.